Chapter 2176  The Fortress

Several hours later.

High in the sky.

Fang Heng transformed into his bat form and flew towards the Federation’s secret base.

A small cluster of vines was still tightly bound to Fang Heng’s body at the base of the bat’s wings.

“Hey, Raven.”

“What’s up?”

“Did you manage to contact my friends?”

“My clone has found them. Do you need to contact them now?”

“Now? Anytime?”

“Yes.”

Fang Heng was somewhat surprised.

Originally, he had planned to confirm with Mo Jiawei through the ritual before the transaction. Then, he would use the game hint as a double verification.

He didn’t expect Raven to have long-distance communication abilities as well.

This was not bad. It saved him a lot of effort.

“Not necessary now,” Fang Heng nodded silently, then continued, “So, if I run into trouble during the operation, you’ll lend a hand, right?”

“My abilities lean more towards support, I’m not very strong. You better not have too high hopes for me.”

“Figures.”

Fang Heng sneered and glanced down below.

At this point, the two had already entered the Federation’s central research institute located at the heart of the desert.

The central control center of the spiritual domain network was established within.

From the outside, the research institute resembled a fortress.

Vast swaths of uninhabited land surrounded the research institute.

Various supplies were delivered daily via armored vehicles.

The security level was the highest within the Federation.

It was evident that there were numerous energy beam turrets hidden around the fortress.

Fang Heng circled twice in the air before returning. He entered a small Federation military town on the outskirts of the no man’s land and landed from a high place.

After circling in the air for two rounds, Fang Heng returned and descended into a Federation military town located on the outskirts of the uninhabited area.

Waiting at a street corner in the town for a while, soon, a federal team approached.

“Hello, Dr. Fang.”

A young man with a handsome face, dressed in a Federation soldier officer attire, recognized Fang Heng. He nodded towards him and saluted.

“I am Captain Liot, leader of the sixth command squad of the Central Federation Escort Team. I have received orders from superiors to escort you into the central research institute. The security and confidentiality levels within the research institute are the highest. For the next five years, you will not have any external permissions. If you agree, please sign the treaty. Please be careful.”

With that, Liot handed Fang Heng a document and a miniature earpiece.

Fang Heng put on the earpiece.

The voice of Ji Haiting came through the earpiece.

“Fang Heng, I’m Ji Haiting. The security level inside the central research institute is very high, and the built-in monitoring system performs facial recognition. We’ve previously hacked into the network and created a new identity for you: Dr. Fang, a researcher hired by the Federation.”

“The spiritual domain network has an automatic intrusion detection function. This new identity will be checked after some time. I can guarantee that this identity will be fine for at least three hours, but after that, it’ll depend on luck. So, we need to act quickly.”

“Also, there’s a pinhole camera on the earpiece. We’ll monitor your situation at all times. Oh, and Captain Liot is on my team. They will escort you into the research institute.”

Fang Heng glanced at Captain Liot and nodded lightly, “Alright.”

Ji Haiting’s voice continued to come through the earpiece, “Fang Heng, I’m currently inside the research institute. I will guide you through the upcoming sabotage operation. Time is of the essence. Sign the document, and let’s get started.”

Fang Heng hastily signed his name on the treaty and handed it back.

Captain Liot checked the document and nodded. “Dr. Fang, if you’re ready, we’ll leave now.”

“Let’s go.”

Liot gestured with his hand.

The squad of soldiers boarded an off-road vehicle together with Fang Heng, heading slowly towards the fortress in the center of the desert where the research institute was located.

Along the way, Ji Haiting briefed Fang Heng through the earpiece about the security situation inside the research institute and things to be cautious of.

There was constant chatter along the way.

After driving through the rugged wilderness for a full hour, the off-road vehicle finally came to a stop.

After a thorough inspection of the exterior of the research institute, the gates of the fortress finally opened.

“We’ve arrived.”

The vehicle stopped in the parking area inside the fortress’s research institute.

Liot stepped out of the car and helped Fang Heng out, saying, “Dr. Fang, let me take you into the research institute area first to see your future working environment. Then, I’ll escort you back to the rest area. How does that sound?”

Fang Heng’s throat was dry as he replied, “Okay, I’ll follow your lead.”

“Please.”

As Liot assisted Fang Heng out of the car, he handed Fang Heng a black magnetic device.

Virus decryption software!

Fang Heng calmly accepted the magnetic device and stowed it away in his backpack.

[Hint: The player has obtained anti-virus software (special, mission item).]

Not bad at all.

All the way here, Fang Heng silently praised Ji Haiting’s capabilities. They were much stronger than those of the tree spirit race. If it had been just him coming alone to execute the sabotage operation, it would likely have required much more effort.

“Let’s go.”

Liot waved his hand and accompanied by over a dozen soldiers, escorted Fang Heng toward the research institute area.

Throughout the journey, the internal surveillance network constantly captured all recorded facial information. However, since Fang Heng’s data had been modified through legitimate channels, the system did not react in any way.

They arrived at the internal research area.

Liot stopped in front of a glass door and gestured, “Dr. Fang, this is your future research area. The main control computer inside can link to the higher-level psychic network of the spawns.”

“We don’t have access to the interior. We’ll wait here at the entrance. After you’ve looked around, we’ll take you to the rest area.”

“Alright.”

Fang Heng nodded and stepped forward into the research room area beyond the glass door.

Ji Haiting’s voice sounded through the earpiece.

“Fang Heng, the area you’ve entered now is the external research zone, where the Federation connects to the spawns’ psychic network. The central control of the spiritual domain blockade is in a more remote area. Your identity is that of a spiritual domain network expert hired by the Federation.”

“I’ve never been here before, so I don’t know the situation. Try asking to inspect the spiritual domain network and have them take you to the central control area. Once you can access the central control, attach the magnetic block, and leave the rest to me.”

Fang Heng listened to Ji Haiting’s instructions and proceeded down the pathway into the main control hall at the rear.

In the hall, there were several researchers still working. When they saw Fang Heng enter, they all stopped their work and cast their eyes on him.

Research supervisor Heli frowned as she stared at Fang Heng.

“Are you… Dr. Fang?”

Heli felt puzzled.

About two hours ago, they received an internal email stating that a Dr. Fang would be joining as a deputy supervisor to participate in spiritual domain network-related work.

Doctor Fang?

Where did he come from?

Any background information related to him was classified.

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